Perfect Pool Landscaping

In love with the look of tropical swimming pool landscaping, but not sure you can really make it work where you live?

Just because you don’t live where the weather’s hot and humid for most of the year doesn’t mean you can’t get the lush, inviting look of a tropical paradise around your swimming pool. When you know how to incorporate the right elements, it’s actually fairly easy.

To start with, there are three main components to getting a tropical look and with right plants.

• Bold, dramatic colors
• Large, lush foliage
• Fountains and waterfalls

Getting the right mix of these will give your swimming pool area a lush, tropical look no matter where you live.

Tropical Landscapes are Full of Flamboyant Color

Vibrant colors are what set tropical landscapes apart from their paler northern cousins. Any plant with big, bold flowers in red, yellow, or orange can contribute to the tropical effect.

Naturally, tropical natives aren’t the only flowers that will do the job. Impatiens, with their eye-catching red and pink blooms, are a good choice. Tiger lilies not only provide dramatic orange blooms, but also look exotic all on their own. Just make sure any flowers you choose won’t get too messy and drop debris in your pool.

Look for Lush Foliage

To get that deep jungle feel, you’re going to want plants with plenty of large leaves. You’ll also need to plant them closely enough together to avoid any bare spots.

Coleus, with its pale and bright greens, gold, and magenta leaves, is a good pick. The aptly named Elephant’s ear (Colocasia) plant adds plenty of green, as does acanthus and Gunnera (“giant rhubarb),

For a truly tropical appearance, look for cold hardy varieties of common tropical plants. Cold hardy palms include Dypsis decipiens, Bismarckia nobilis, Caryota ochlandra. The Musa Basjoo is a wonderfully cold hardy banana tree, and bamboo and fern also come in cool climate varieties.

Install Your Own Tropical Waterfall

The relaxing sound of a flowing waterfall or bubbling fountain is another hallmark of tropical landscapes. Given the high rainfall in the tropics, there’s bound to be a waterfall somewhere nearby. Adding a natural looking waterfall or fountain to your swimming pool area can do a lot to enhance the tropical feel. Water features don’t have to be hard to install, either. You can buy pool fountains that take just one afternoon to set up.

If you’re going for the jungle look around your swimming pool, think bright bold colors set in an abundance of dramatic, over-sized leaves and you’ll be able to find plenty of plants that will grow in your climate. Add a flowing waterfall to put the final touch on your cool climate tropical swimming pool landscaping.